Print your imagination, Karan style

Thane resident Karan Chaphekar is the first Indian to develop a 3D printer

Making virtual 3D images has become a child’s game now. But what about printing a 3D prototype? Sounds impossible. But 22-year-old, Thane resident Karan Chaphekar has made this possible. This third year student of electronic engineering from Datta Meghe College of Engineering has contributed to the innovative idea of replicating rapid prototyping also known as RepRap.

Making a 3D impression
The functioning of the machine is very simple. One just needs to draw a 3D image or choose one from the choices given and press print. The sophisticated machine will rapidly create a prototype of your image.
Karan says, “This machine is not my invention. Many people abroad have been working on this technology since a long time but surprising no one from India has tried it yet. Hence, I accepted the challenge and started working on it. It took me around four months to complete this printer.” Making this machine was not an easy task. He adds, “With the help of many websites and social networking sites, I interacted with people and this helped me a lot in developing the machine.” A few parts of the printer were
difficult to find. “To overcome this problem, I talked to many people online and asked for assistance for the parts from various countries,” he says. Some parts were purchased from China and a few others from Germany. He extends his special thanks to those, especially his friend Jay Gogri, who helped him in procuring these materials. He adds, “The internet has been my best friend since childhood.”

How it works
Explaining the functioning of the machine, Karan says, “The first step is to develop or search for a 3D diagram, after that you just have to give the print command, as the printer is attached to a computer.” But this process is not simple, as you need to give a lot of specifications in the print command. And, don’t make the mistake of believing that you will have a 3D image on a paper because RepRap is not about printing on paper but prototype development (or 3D model).
A special plastic wire called Polylactic acid (PLA), which is biodegradable, is used to develop the prototype or 3D model. No other plastic can be used because it has a very low melting point.
The machine works as a glue, the plastic wire is inserted, machine starts and a certain temperature is achieved at which it melts and the melted plastic starts coming out from a nozzle and forms a 3D prototype as specified.
Karan says, “Initially, the images were not perfect, but gradually the 3D images drawn through this printer got better.
This printer can be used to develop any prototypes or models. In fact, spare parts of the printer can also be developed from this very printer. Things like bottle openers could be made and used instantly.

Knowing Karan
Karan says, “I am not brilliant at studies nor am I super creative, but I excel at executing ideas.” He proved these abilities at a very young age. At the age of 15, he designed his first robot.
Karan does not seek for a high paying job at any MNC but wants to start a business of his own. He wishes to make innovative changes in the existing printer. He wants to attach an LCD and keyboard to the printer to make printing easier and faster.

--PADMJA SINHA